Rochester Re-Signs Hummel

(November 25, 2013)... The Rochester Knighthawks have re-signed
transition man Matt Hummel to a one-year deal for the upcoming 2014
National Lacrosse League season.

"It's awesome (to re-sign with Rochester). To be with a group of
guys that skilled, it's an honor to have the opportunity to spend
another year with those guys," Hummel said.

Hummel, a Kitchener, Ontario native, was taken with the 38th
overall pick in the fourth round of the 2012 NLL Entry Draft after
renouncing his remaining NCAA eligibility following his sophomore
year at Mercyhurst University. With the Division II Mercyhurst
Lakers, he scored 15 goals and seven assists in his only season.
Hummel was reunited with former Mercyhurst teammate Zac Reid, the
Knighthawks' 46th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2013 NLL
Entry Draft, at Training Camp.

"He's a good player to be with, and he's a good guy. He'll
definitely push you on all aspects of the floor," said Hummel of
Reid.

To get ready for the 2014 season, Hummel played for the Senior
"A" Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks this summer. He scored three goals
and five assists in 11 games. Last year, Hummel was limited to one
game, but helped the Knighthawks defeat the Colorado Mammoth 12-11
in his pro debut. He is looking to crack the lineup more often in
his second pro season.

"I'm definitely a lot more prepared by just seeing how the
league and team works last year," he said. "It's just a lot easier
and more comfortable stepping into the system this year."

In the Knighthawks' preseason game last year against the Toronto
Rock, Hummel showed flashes of his potential as he scored a
shorthanded transition goal at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
According to Assistant Coach Jason Johnson, it is his speed that
makes Hummel a threat to push the ball into the offensive zone.

"Matt brought a lot of speed and aggressiveness. Speed is
probably his greatest strength," Johnson. "He was not bad in
transition as well. It is a matter of him coming into camp with
confidence. But he has the speed."

Last season, Hummel won a championship in his first NLL season.
He saw time on defense and in transition in his pro debut and while
practicing with the Knighthawks. Assistant Coach Pat O'Toole also
recognized his assets offensively, but was impressed with his
willingness to learn the defensive side of things.

"He puts in an honest effort, which is what you want. He is a
transition player that gets up the floor and is as fast as anyone,"
he said. "Yet, every practice he went back on defense and did his
best. That's what you want to start with because if the ball is in
the back of your net you don't get a chance to transition the ball.
His commitment to being back there and doing a good job is what
impressed us the most."